The
hall was full of faces familiar to me with some very special guests mingling and
waiting to join in the fun. We were not to be disappointed! First up was Dorie Jackson and her band, a long-time side-kick of Francis. It was a joy to see her centre stage at last and playing some of the gorgeous songs from her debut album, ‘The Courting Ground’. Dorie’s strong, sublime vocals filled the hall with a rich melancholy that was a joy to hear. Ably supported by Emily Baker and Alice Shaw on guitar and keyboards, their harmony vocals mixed to produce a warmth that reached inside and grabbed your innards. Great stuff Dorie!
Francis came on around 9.30 and started what turned out to be a marathon session. With John Dunnery on guitar and Erica Brilhart on keyboards they launched into ‘Because I Can’. Great starter, full of energy and drive with a very cool ending. Francis always likes to re-interpret songs and he played a guitar part at the end that I really loved! Song after song poured out with the band charging along in Francis’s wake. I particularly enjoyed ‘In My Dreams’ and ‘Only New York’ with their extended guitar introductions. John Dunnery was a revelation on the electric guitar. Previously I had only heard him strumming on the acoustic and now here he is playing riffs and trading licks with Francis. Not sure why but I felt really proud and chuffed for him!
Of course Francis played a blinder. Mesmerising and full of presence he went from song to song effortlessly. Guitar soaring and voice compelling and strong. I have never heard him play less than supremely. He did a brilliant version of Peter Gabriel’s ‘Solsbury Hill’, not the easiest song to sing and play at the same time. A few special guests graced the stage too. Chris Difford played two songs and brought back fantastic memories of Francis, Chris and Dorie touring together a few years ago. Phil Campbell from Motorhead played lead guitar on ‘Johnny Podell’ duelling with Francis. Great fun and exciting to watch. Loved it! Steve Nardelli of The Syn came on and sang two moving and melodic songs of great beauty. His voice was astounding and moving. Can’t wait for new recordings from him and Francis.
Ever ready and adaptable, Francis was open to requests towards the end of the evening. Clutching his acoustic guitar he played ‘Autumn The Rain Man’ and ‘My Father’s Eyes’ in exchange for generous donations to the charity from Phil Cambell. More requests and donations followed. Encores were delayed as Phil Beaumont and team fixed a power failure. Two more songs and it was over, two and three quarter hours after Francis first came on stage. One of the best Francis gigs I have been too and I’ve been to quite a few. And by the way, Erica played keyboards perfectly, with a light touch and humour! Watch out for her in the future! Big shout out to Mark Andrews too who does so much for the charity and conducted an auction during the gig. Well done to all who took part in the weekend.